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Westminster Presbyterian Church
Westminster Church is a community where all people are welcome and respected.
Our Mission is to be a Christian community of welcoming and nurturing faith.
December 3, 2023 10:30 AM
GATHERING
Welcome Rev. Dr. Franzen
Opening Hymn #95 Prepare the Way Of the Lord holy ground
Prepare the way of the Lord.
Prepare the way of the Lord,
and all people will see
the salvation of our God.
Call to Worship Mary Anne James
Leader: O that God would tear open the heavens and come down!
People: Of that day or hour, no one knows, only God.
Leader: Be alert! Keep awake! Mark The time is drawing near: The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Hymn 88 O Come, O Come Emannuel veni emmanuel
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
2 O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
who orderest all things mightily:
to us the path of knowledge show;
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
3 O come, O come, thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times didst give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
4 O come, thou Root of Jesse, free
thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
from depths of hell thy people save
and give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
5 O come, thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
6 O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
7 O come, Desire of nations, bind
all peoples in one heart and mind;
bid envy, strife, and discord cease;
fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
Lighting of the Advent Candles
Reader 1: We light this candle as a symbol of the hope we have in the promise of the Lord's coming.
Reader 2: For the Lord will fulfill his promise to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. A righteous Branch will spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
All: Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Advent Candle Song
M.A. James
The candle of hope (the candle of hope)
is the first candle on the Advent wreath
(on the Advent wreath).
The candle of hope (the candle of hope)
is the first candle on the Advent wreath
(on the Advent wreath).
We recall God's promises given long ago
that someday a Messiah would come to set us free,
So we live in the light of that hope.
Call to Confession
Like a faded, dry leaf that the wind blows away, our sins dry us up; faded and brittle, we are carried off by the wrongs we have done. Yet God loves us still and is able to restore and renew us with the water of life.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we become distracted, even weary, in our discipleship. We keep busy schedules; we rush about. Captivated by technology, seduced by the lure of consumer goods, we do not remain alert to your divine presence in our lives, in the church, in the world.
Make us better doorkeepers of our lives, watching for you attentively. Awaken us to your surprising power and glory and peace, so we do not miss how near you are to our very own gates.
Be gracious toward us, we pray, until we are gathered, from the ends of earth to the ends of heaven, into your embrace. We pray in the name of Christ, who was, and is, and is to come. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
The Passing of the Peace
Minute for Mission
Christmas Joy Offering
THE WORD
Prayer for Illumination
First Reading
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Time for Children
Anthem Prepare the Way for the Lord arr. Pat Messick
Sanctuary Choir
Second Reading
Isaiah 64:1-9
Sermon
“Molded Right”
Rev. Dr. Franzen
Hymn 106 Prepare the Way O Zion BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN
1 Prepare the way, O Zion,
your Christ is drawing near!
Let every hill and valley
a level way appear.
Greet One who comes in glory,
foretold in sacred story.
Refrain:
O blest is Christ who came
in God’s most holy name.
2 He brings God’s rule, O Zion;
he comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom,
and justice, truth, and love.
Lift high your praise resounding,
for grace and joy abounding.
Refrain:
O blest is Christ who came
in God’s most holy name.
3 Fling wide your gates, O Zion;
your Savior’s rule embrace,
and tidings of salvation
proclaim in every place.
All lands will bow rejoicing,
their adoration voicing.
Refrain:
O blest is Christ who came
in God’s most holy name.
THE RESPONSE
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory In. Christ Alone Arr. Mark Hayes
Asa Stern
Credit cards and PayPal for all donations are welcome go to
http://www.westpres-sj.org/donations.html for the link and more information.
You may also send a check to the office.
Doxology #609 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow lasst uns erfreuen
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Prayer of Thanksgiving/Dedication
Communion Hymn #507 Come to the Table of Grace table of grace
1 Come to the table of grace.
Come to the table of grace.
This is God’s table; it’s not yours or mine.
Come to the table of grace.
2 Come to the table of peace…
3 Come to the table of love…
4 Come to the table of hope…
5 Come to the table of joy…
Invitation to the Table
Communion
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen
Communion of God’s People
Prayer After Communion
Hymn 147 The First Noel the first noel
1 The first Nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Refrain:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
2 They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night. (Refrain)
3 And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went. (Refrain)
4 This star drew nigh to the northwest;
o’er Bethlehem it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay,
right over the place where Jesus lay. (Refrain)
5 Then entered in those wise men three,
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. (Refrain)
6 Then let us all with one accord
sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
that hath made heaven and earth of nought,
and with his blood our life hath bought. (Refrain)
SENDING
Announcements
Charge and Blessing
Closing Hymn #383 Soon and Very Soon soon and very soon
1 Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
we’re going to see the King!
2 No more crying there: we are going to see the King.
No more crying there: we are going to see the King.
No more crying there: we are going to see the King.
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
we’re going to see the King!
3 No more dying there: we are going to see the King.
No more dying there: we are going to see the King.
No more dying there: we are going to see the King.
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
we’re going to see the King!
4 Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
we’re going to see the King!
Postlude Deck the Halls arr. Melody Bober
Worship Participants:
Rev. Dr. Bryan J. Franzen, Pastor
Neneth Ross, Associate Pastor
Mary Anne James, Liturgist
Amber Rasura, Guest Music Director
Nick Mollé, Associate Worship Leader
Asa Stern, Piano
Westminster Church is a community where all people are welcome and respected.
Our Mission is to be a Christian community of welcoming and nurturing faith.
December 3, 2023 10:30 AM
GATHERING
Welcome Rev. Dr. Franzen
Opening Hymn #95 Prepare the Way Of the Lord holy ground
Prepare the way of the Lord.
Prepare the way of the Lord,
and all people will see
the salvation of our God.
Call to Worship Mary Anne James
Leader: O that God would tear open the heavens and come down!
People: Of that day or hour, no one knows, only God.
Leader: Be alert! Keep awake! Mark The time is drawing near: The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Hymn 88 O Come, O Come Emannuel veni emmanuel
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
2 O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
who orderest all things mightily:
to us the path of knowledge show;
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
3 O come, O come, thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times didst give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
4 O come, thou Root of Jesse, free
thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
from depths of hell thy people save
and give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
5 O come, thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
6 O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
7 O come, Desire of nations, bind
all peoples in one heart and mind;
bid envy, strife, and discord cease;
fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
Lighting of the Advent Candles
Reader 1: We light this candle as a symbol of the hope we have in the promise of the Lord's coming.
Reader 2: For the Lord will fulfill his promise to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. A righteous Branch will spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
All: Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Advent Candle Song
M.A. James
The candle of hope (the candle of hope)
is the first candle on the Advent wreath
(on the Advent wreath).
The candle of hope (the candle of hope)
is the first candle on the Advent wreath
(on the Advent wreath).
We recall God's promises given long ago
that someday a Messiah would come to set us free,
So we live in the light of that hope.
Call to Confession
Like a faded, dry leaf that the wind blows away, our sins dry us up; faded and brittle, we are carried off by the wrongs we have done. Yet God loves us still and is able to restore and renew us with the water of life.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we become distracted, even weary, in our discipleship. We keep busy schedules; we rush about. Captivated by technology, seduced by the lure of consumer goods, we do not remain alert to your divine presence in our lives, in the church, in the world.
Make us better doorkeepers of our lives, watching for you attentively. Awaken us to your surprising power and glory and peace, so we do not miss how near you are to our very own gates.
Be gracious toward us, we pray, until we are gathered, from the ends of earth to the ends of heaven, into your embrace. We pray in the name of Christ, who was, and is, and is to come. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
The Passing of the Peace
Minute for Mission
Christmas Joy Offering
THE WORD
Prayer for Illumination
First Reading
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Time for Children
Anthem Prepare the Way for the Lord arr. Pat Messick
Sanctuary Choir
Second Reading
Isaiah 64:1-9
Sermon
“Molded Right”
Rev. Dr. Franzen
Hymn 106 Prepare the Way O Zion BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN
1 Prepare the way, O Zion,
your Christ is drawing near!
Let every hill and valley
a level way appear.
Greet One who comes in glory,
foretold in sacred story.
Refrain:
O blest is Christ who came
in God’s most holy name.
2 He brings God’s rule, O Zion;
he comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom,
and justice, truth, and love.
Lift high your praise resounding,
for grace and joy abounding.
Refrain:
O blest is Christ who came
in God’s most holy name.
3 Fling wide your gates, O Zion;
your Savior’s rule embrace,
and tidings of salvation
proclaim in every place.
All lands will bow rejoicing,
their adoration voicing.
Refrain:
O blest is Christ who came
in God’s most holy name.
THE RESPONSE
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory In. Christ Alone Arr. Mark Hayes
Asa Stern
Credit cards and PayPal for all donations are welcome go to
http://www.westpres-sj.org/donations.html for the link and more information.
You may also send a check to the office.
Doxology #609 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow lasst uns erfreuen
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Prayer of Thanksgiving/Dedication
Communion Hymn #507 Come to the Table of Grace table of grace
1 Come to the table of grace.
Come to the table of grace.
This is God’s table; it’s not yours or mine.
Come to the table of grace.
2 Come to the table of peace…
3 Come to the table of love…
4 Come to the table of hope…
5 Come to the table of joy…
Invitation to the Table
Communion
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen
Communion of God’s People
Prayer After Communion
Hymn 147 The First Noel the first noel
1 The first Nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Refrain:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
2 They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night. (Refrain)
3 And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went. (Refrain)
4 This star drew nigh to the northwest;
o’er Bethlehem it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay,
right over the place where Jesus lay. (Refrain)
5 Then entered in those wise men three,
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. (Refrain)
6 Then let us all with one accord
sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
that hath made heaven and earth of nought,
and with his blood our life hath bought. (Refrain)
SENDING
Announcements
Charge and Blessing
Closing Hymn #383 Soon and Very Soon soon and very soon
1 Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
we’re going to see the King!
2 No more crying there: we are going to see the King.
No more crying there: we are going to see the King.
No more crying there: we are going to see the King.
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
we’re going to see the King!
3 No more dying there: we are going to see the King.
No more dying there: we are going to see the King.
No more dying there: we are going to see the King.
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
we’re going to see the King!
4 Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
we’re going to see the King!
Postlude Deck the Halls arr. Melody Bober
Worship Participants:
Rev. Dr. Bryan J. Franzen, Pastor
Neneth Ross, Associate Pastor
Mary Anne James, Liturgist
Amber Rasura, Guest Music Director
Nick Mollé, Associate Worship Leader
Asa Stern, Piano
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